Chase Chase Chamber Patrons
CONTACT: Chris Plant T: 0845 603 6650
Better services will curb fare dodging
Campaigning Chase MP Amanda Milling has called for higher penalty fares in a bid to cut fare dodging on the railways. She said the local Chase Line was blighted by
Hub gets support to continue work
A support hub for businesses across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent which has supported some 4,000 companies is to continue during this year, thanks to backing from the county council. The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire
Growth Hub is delivered by the Chamber of Commerce for the local enterprise partnership, and has supported 3,852 businesses since it was established in 2014. Its advisors refer businesses to relevant
organisations that can assist with support on a range of issues including access to finance, resource efficiency, innovation, mentoring, skills, growth coaching, manufacturing advice, start-up support, strategic relationships and export advice. The hub also runs the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Business Helpline.
‘The growth hub has played an invaluable role in supporting small and medium-sized businesses’
In addition to support and advice, the hub manages a new small business grant fund, offering grants of between £1,500 and £10,000 and arranges support events across the county. Staffordshire County Council’s economic
growth leader Mark Winnington said: “The growth hub has played an invaluable role in supporting small and medium-sized businesses in Staffordshire and guiding them to future growth. It acts as a first port of call for businesses
which need advice on a range of issues – from access to finance to employment laws. The county council plays an important role in the delivery of the hub, which supports our priority of ensuring there is continued economic growth in Staffordshire and job creation. It has achieved a great deal since it was set up in 2014 and we will be working closely with partners to ensure this continues.”
44 CHAMBERLINK March 2017
fare dodging, the scale of which was demonstrated by the number of tickets and fines that are being issued by London Midland’s revenue protection team. The MP joined the revenue team for a week,
saw an additional 1,004 tickets sold and 192 fines issued, with eight people recommended for prosecution. She is now calling on London Midland to make
sure ticket machines at stations on the Chase Line are working so that passengers can purchase a ticket before boarding a train, as well as urging the government to review penalty fares.
‘Fare dodgers will only be stopped if they are seriously out of pocket when they get caught’
She said: “Many passengers have complained to me about fare dodging and ticket machines not working at stations on the Chase Line – issues which I have seen for myself. “I was very pleased to join London Midland’s
revenue protection team although I was shocked by the extent of ticketless travel and fare dodging. While it is important the ticket machines are in working order, an issue I have raised with London Midland, I am also concerned that the £20 penalty fare is not an effective deterrent to fare dodging. “This is why I have called on the Rail Minister,
Paul Maynard, to review penalty fares. It is not fair on honest fare paying passengers and season ticket holders that there are people not
Not fare: Amanda Milling said more needs to be done to deter fare dodgers
paying their way. In my view fare dodgers will only be stopped if they are seriously out of pocket when they get caught.” As part of the MP’s campaign for station
upgrades, she wants to see more ticket machines and barriers at the stations along the line. She said: “With increasing numbers of
commuters using the Chase Line and our stations, we need more machines so that passengers can quickly and easily buy a ticket. If we are going to genuinely tackle fare dodging, I feel we need ticket barriers at our stations.”
Scheme brings business back
An innovative business rates reduction scheme is helping to attract new occupiers into the town centres of Cannock, Rugeley and Hednesford. Chase Council has heard that the three town
centres have 23 vacant units, which equates to 6.67 per cent – well under the national average of 10.7 per cent. The council has now decided to renew the
town centre business rates discount scheme, in a further bid to encourages businesses to occupy vacant ground floor premises in the main retail areas within the district’s three town centres. To date the council has assisted eight businesses in the district through the scheme.
Chase councillor Diane Todd said: “I am
pleased to see from the performance report that the vacancy rates have dropped since earlier this year. Although we do still have some empty shops in Hednesford, Rugeley and Cannock, our numbers are well below the national average. “This is really positive news for Cannock Chase
and I hope that by implementing schemes like the town centre business rates scheme will encourage businesses small and large to move into our town centres. “We have recently seen the Fashion Factory
occupy two units in Cannock shopping centre which they have done with assistance through this scheme.”
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